The Great State Fair of Texas

Klee and LilE got to spend a few days with us during October. One day was spent at the State Fair of Texas. I've never been one that had to visit the fair every year. In fact, it had been several years since I had gone and taken our children. However, it was really fun to go and see it through the eyes of a 4-year old. The weather was perfect and made for a great day at the great state fair. LilE was a real trooper considering all the walking and walking and walking we had to do. Cotton candy and the Ferris Wheel were two really big hits for her. Klee met up with a college friend and her two boys and we had a fun day.

Pop, LilE, Mimi and Big Tex

LilE feeding the animals.

When LilE got tired she sat and rested.

The Ferris Wheel was the big event for LilE.

Klee and LilE enjoyed the ferris wheel after a long day at the fair.

Labor Day-Literally

Thirty-three years ago this Labor Day holiday we began what was many hours of "labor" to deliver our beautiful baby girl. Happy B'day, Klee!

Mother and daughter on birth day!

Baby Pacifiers

A few weeks back I helped host a baby shower for our Music Minister and his wife. My responsibility was to create the party favor. A couple of years back I had seen an article in Paula Deen's magazine on a baby shower she had hosted and had gotten the idea to use her idea if the occasion arose. Making the pacifiers is not difficult, but a little time consuming due to the drying time between each step. However, they were a big hit at the party, especially with the little girls! Paula, you don't have to worry.....I am no threat to you or your creative ideas!

August in Texas

Last week Klee and LilE came for a visit while JD visited a friend in East Texas. LilE hadn't been for a summer visit since she was 15 months old so we crammed as many hot weather activities into the visit as possible. We took advantage of the splash pad, swam at a friends house, visited the city park, and went letterboxing where we uncovered several boxes in and around town. We travelled to Wichita Falls to attend the b'day party of LilE's cousin and spent Sunday with Elle and B enjoying a good time hanging out in the Texas heat.

No playday complete without visiting the playground. Look familiar, B?

Splash pad fun.

Needed a friend to make this more fun.

Klee and LilE enjoying a swim.

Finding one of the letterboxes after following all the directions.

Letterboxes must be returned to their hiding places.

This letterbox had been "hiding" here since 2005.

Just a swinging..on monkey swing that Pop made!!!

The family enjoying a Sunday afternoon.

Pop, LilE and Mimi.....what a fun visit!

Bees: The Sequel

About a month ago I blogged about the bees and the hive that was formed above our dining room window in the front of the house. You will recall they had several honeycombs attached to the exterior part of the eaves. Those were eradicated and presumed gone. About a week ago we began hearing a "buzz" outside our bedroom windows in the backyard. Upon investigation we found bees that apparently were housed within the soffet area around the brick chimney. We called the pest control out again to eradicate the bees. It took over 2 1/2 hours to kill thousands of bees. He said he was sure the honeycombs were inside the soffet and must be scraped off to prevent another swarm of bees taking up residence. The pictures below tell the story of what we found.

First sighting of bees in the backyard.

Smitty sawing and pulling down the soffet to expose the honeycombs.

11 individual honeycombs. (Some bees still working)

Close up picture of the honeycombs and the honey inside.

Go Rangers!

I love the Texas Rangers and baseball. I love the atmosphere and the excitement of being at the Ballpark and the good excuse it gives me for eating hot dogs and nachos. I'm not sure where I got my love for the game; possibly from watching my older brother play church league ball, possibly because I lettered in junior high softball, or maybe those Saturday afternoon's watching a few innings of TV baseball with my dad. Most likely I got it from my Granddad Strickland who would sit for hours in his favorite chair and watch the early years of the Texas Rangers. I know he was not always happy when they lost and during those years losing was the norm. No matter the reason, I love to get to "know" the players and follow them through a season. We've just had a lot of changes, so during this second half of the season I have many new faces to get to know before we go into the post season. Looking forward to seeing my Texas Rangers in October!

Family Gathering

It is very difficult to get families together in today's busy world especially when we are scattered across the states, but we tried very hard to pull it off this past week. Those in Midland happened to be in the area, Mansfield residents had a free Friday night, the Weatherford clans with the exception of one family were available, so the date was set. Unfortunately, the Carolinians were missed, but distance prohibits getting here for those impromptu gatherings. We had good food and good fellowship! Hope to do it again soon with all the family. (See if you can find what is different in the two pictures below.)

Pictures 1 & 2 of the family